3.19.2010

I bring exciting news, especially to those who were disappointed with the cancellation of last year's scheduled U.S. Tour. MIYAVI RETURNS!!! Now announcing Miyavi's Neo Tokyo Samurai Black World Tour 2010. This massive tour to include Japan, Canada AND the U.S. is long awaited! Get your tickets now!!

3.11.2010

Spanning 14 years, the Japan Nite tour is the longest running US tour featuring Japanese artists. This year's line-up features many returning members, as well as some new faces. OMODAKA, Riddim Saunter, JinnyOops!, GEEKS, BO-PEEP, The Dolomites, Camisama and Red Bacteria Vacuum will be bringing their own unique sounds to stages across the US from March 18th to the 27th.

HearJapan is offering a free compilation album featuring a special MP3 download from each artist. From 8bit to ska, punk to goth, all with a strong independent spirit, the Japan Nite 2010 Free Download collection has something for everyone. Just like the tour itself!

Check here to download the entire compilation instantly, get the full tour itinerary, watch videos and read more about each artist. Even if you're nowhere near a stop on the tour, you can put on your own private show with this free compilation!

3.09.2010

Think you know your Vocaloid songs? HearJapan is here to test that knowledge and is bearing gifts in celebration of Hatsune Miku Day [3 (mi) + 9 (ku) = miku; March 9th] and another year of music from the world's premiere Vocaloid singing idol.

Step 1: Download a selection of 10 free Vocaloid samples from Hatsune Miku Treasure Hunt at HearJapan...yes, they're all free! The only problem is that they seem to be missing their names. Step 2: Sift through the Vocaloid collection on HearJapan (that's over 150 releases!) by listening to the 30 second samples and figure out the names of all 10 songs. The songs are a selection of both new and old tunes, possibly even the newest Avtechno “Free” and Reng “Nextone -Krnt Edit- “ releases. Ten lucky winners will be randomly picked from the correct answers.

The 1st place winner will receive a Hatsune Miku Nendoriod Figure (courtesy of Good Smile), complete with several expressions and even a leek to spin, a Hatsune Miku calendar and 5,000 yen in HearJapan credits.

2nd, 3rd and 4th place will get a figure of their choice from Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len or Megurine Luka, plus 2000 yen in HearJapan credit. 5th through 8th will get a calender plus 1000 yen in HearJapan credit. 9th and 10th will get 500 yen in HearJapan credit.

3.04.2010

As part of their "JAPAN: Nature and Culture for the Future" project, the JICC is hosting a screening of "Miyori in the Sacred Forest," this Wednesday, March 10th at 6:30pm. Based on a manga by Oda Hideji titled "Miyori no Mori," this beautifully animated film explore on explores of environmental preservation in Japan.

When 11-year old Miyori’s parents decide to go their separate ways, her father takes her to live with her grandparents in the countryside. Angry about her exile from the bright lights and modern conveniences of Tokyo, Miyori greets her new natural surroundings with scorn and contempt. But that night as she sleeps, a river spirit visits her, leading her into the forest where a host of mystical woodland creatures welcome her as a long lost friend. She may not remember them, but they’ve been waiting for her return. They soon show Miyori that life in the countryside isn’t that bad—until she discovers that the home she has come to love will be flooded by a new dam. Filled with a new sense of awe and appreciation of nature, Miyori will do everything she can to save the forest.

The film is directed by Nizo Yamamoto (art director of Hiyao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke and Laputa: Castle in the Sky). The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and granted on a first come, first served basis. Doors close at 7:00 pm. Reservations required. Only two (2) spaces can be reserved at a time. If you wish to reserve more spaces, please send additional email requests. Please send your name, affiliation, and the name of your guest to jiccrsvp@embjapan.org. Check out the flyer for more details.

3.03.2010

About one year ago, I first saw sketches of a new set of petit nendoroid figures by Good Smile Company. It was of a series I've been meaning to pick up, especially with the excited behest of two best friends. The series -- Junjo Romantica. Whether or not you are a fan of the series or even just a Nendoroid fan, the sketch alone of Usagi-san will make you go head of heels -- or least that's what happened to me. Announced as a Chara-Ani exclusive, it was set to be released August 2009. But August came and went, and no figures.

Now a year later, sketches have become reality as Chari-Ani takes pre-orders for its exclusive. The Junjo Romantica Petit Nendoroid Limited Mail Order set includes Misaki, Akihiko and Suzuki-san! The set is retailed at 2,100 yen (super cheap, but if you're not in Japan and are intent on getting your hands on one, the set will probably be much more). I can't wait till my set arrives on August 2010! I am still squealing and shaking as I type...wahhhh!

3.02.2010

The infamous leader of X JAPAN, Yoshiki, revealed on Friday that the entire rock group plans to relocate to Los Angeles and hold a concert there as its first official American performance. Yoshiki revealed the plans during the unveiling of his Yoshiki jewelry brand's new collection in collaboration with Kuwayama. Guitarist Sugizo made a surprise onstage guest appearance at Friday's event before about 120 invitees, where Yoshiki made the announcement that all of X JAPAN will be moving to Los Angeles. [Source: Sankei Sports via ANN]

3.01.2010

After gaming all weekend, finally hooking up with Alistair vis-a-vis "Dragon Age: Origins," I decided to give my PS3 a break. At approximately, 7:30 p.m. eastern time, I booted up my PS3, tried to sign in to the Playstation Network, but was instead greeted with an error (#8001050F). So, like my fellow gamers (many as I will soon find out), I scowered the forums to try and find a cause and resolution. And within minutes of refreshing, a forum that was 3 pages long became 30 pages long filled with PS3 gamers having the same exact problem. It didn't take long to realize this was no mere coincidence.

Speculations surrounding the source of the problem went first with a possible maintenance or update problems, to the Playstation Network server being down. After learning that PS3 slims seemed to still be functioning, unaffected by this "problem," other theories arose, including a problem with the calendar (a leap-year miscalculation, perhaps) on older PS3s. It's been more than 12 hours now, and gamers (including this one) are getting worried and anxious. Sony will want to reconcile this ASAP, especially with the release of 2 certain titles just around the corner -- God of War III and Final Fantasy XIII; and especially since is affecting Playstation's most "loyal" fans. Those that purchase the original PS3s upon first release, etc.

So here's what we know:

All around the world, PlayStation 3 consoles simply aren't functioning preventing people from even playing some offline games. Non of my trophy-enabled games work and all my downloaded games have reverted back into their "trial" form. Game saves are lost as well as trophies and several themes. It seems like only original consoles are having problems, as PS3 slim users are able to log in with, supposedly, no problems. And most have noticed that their system date has been reset. Could it be calendar problem, a PSN problem? Then why are some offline games being affected.

PS3s still aren't functioning and no official update has been made in 10 hours. Watch this space for updates and if you have more information, let me know.

UPDATE (3/1/2010, 11am): While Playstation US hasn't provided an update for the past 13 hours, Playstation EU gives us a little word. 2 hours ago, the following was posted: Rest assured, we've many people working on fixing this issue. As soon as we have some news, we'll let you know. They also note not to trust info. unless it's from an official Sony source. While this isn't any "new" news...it's at least 3 posts within the last 3 hours...This is agony...

We believe we have identified that this problem is being caused by a bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system.

We hope to resolve this problem within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained trophies, and not being able to restore certain data.

UPDATE (3/1/2010, 9:30pm): At approximately, 9:30pm (eastern time), about 26 hours since PS3 global meltdown, Playstation Network Service was restored. And theories that this may be a internal clock problem are confirmed. According to Sony's statement:

We are aware that the internal clock functionality in the PS3 units other than the slim model, recognized the year 2010 as a leap year. Having the internal clock date change from February 29 to March 1 (both GMT), we have verified that the symptoms are now resolved and that users are able to use their PS3 normally.

If the time displayed on the XMB is still incorrect, users are able to adjust time settings manually or via the internet. If we have new information, we will update you through the PlayStation.Blog or PlayStation.com.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

So, if you haven't done so already (I did right before posting this update), go on and boot up your PS3 and catch up on lost time...now I can finally open up "Heavy Rain."

About

Previews, News, Reviews, and Convention Reports of all things Japan, from the perspective of a crazed self-proclaimed Otaku -- from Anime to Manga to J-music to Video Games to Figures to Fashion to Culture. A plethora of goodies for the novice to the veteran fan and everyone else in between.